Page 58 of Blood Feast

I don’t know.Lio’s worry throbbed between them.Mak does rush into things without thinking them through.

When no one spoke, Mak went on. “Only Nike, Lyros, and I know about this. Trust me when I say that as Stewards, whose sacred duty it is to uphold the law, we have not done this lightly. But sometimes we have to uphold the spirit of the law, rather than the letter of it—and our highest duty is protect our people.”

Now I’m even more worried,Lio said.

Yes,Cassia agreed,because he clearly has thought it through very carefully.

There were a number of people they loved who orchestrated plots of dubious legality for the greater good. But Mak was the last person who would ever become a criminal mastermind. Wasn’t he?

“Please explain,” Lio said carefully.

“No.” Mak spoke with calm confidence. “If you have any hesitations, it’s safer for you if you don’t know the details. That way, you can’t be implicated if…things go wrong in the future.”

“How can we make a decision without more information?” Cassia pressed.

“Here is all you need to know,” Mak told them. “The gifts we have for you are against the Queens’ laws but will never bring harm to the people we love. In fact, they could save lives. You would be among the few, but not the only Hesperines to possess them. And the Hesperines who have borne this burden before us have gotten away with it for centuries.”

He gave his sister’s statue a significant look.

Cassia stared at his warding spell, which hovered in the air before Nike’s stone hand, an enchanted tribute to her legendary shield. Understanding dawned on Cassia.

Oh my goddess,Lio said.

Memories flicked between their minds, each of them recalling different hints. One night when Cassia had argued with the Tenebran lords about weapons, Mak had been strangely nervous throughout the debate. More recently, he had made allusions to a secret project with Nike, one that could help with the war effort.

Lio dragged a hand through his hair.They have weapons. And if it’s illegal, that means they’re on this side of the border.

And they have some for us,Cassia realized.

Lyros observed them and gave a nod. “Take a moment to make your decision. Once you’re in, there’s no going back.”

How do we feel about this?Cassia asked.

I don’t know,Lio answered.

We’re diplomats. Joining the war effort pushes the boundaries of our role enough. But taking up arms?

If anyone found out, you and I would lose our medallions, and Mak and Lyros could never serve in the Stand again. We would all be arrested and tried for crimes against the Queens.

Cassia knew there was only one convicted criminal in Hesperine history: Phaedros, who had brutalized innocent mortals during the Last War. She should have been chilled by the thought. But they were not Phaedros. If they took this path, they would be following in very different ancient footsteps.

Yes.Determination began to form in Lio’s emotions.The Blood Errant have used weapons for hundreds of years.

And they don’t always lock them away at Waystar when they come home, as the Queens command.

Rudhira has brought Thorn into the heart of House Komnena and never been caught.

If Nike’s brothers do the same…if Apollon’s children follow in his footsteps…if the eighth bloodborn takes up arms, as did Methu, the first bloodborn…

It could be a disaster.

Or a triumph.

Lio looked into her eyes.We must be of the same mind. We do this together, or not at all.

She took his hand.We are one. I will take up arms with you, my Grace, if you also feel called to.

I will not shy away from anything that gives me more power to make sure everyone we love survives this war.

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